Door latch mechanism



Dec. 28, 1954 E B, JAQBSON 2,698,197

DOOR LATCH MECHANISM Filed Aug. l, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet l udz/ Eowm B. JAcossoN ATTORNEY Dec- 28, 1954 E. B. JAcoBsoN 2,698,197

DOOR LATCH MECHANISM Filed Aug. l, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 as z 37 Een 5.

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Eowm B. JAcogsoN ATTORNEY Dec. 28, 1954 Eq B JACOBSON 2,698,197

DOOR LATCH MECHANISM Filed Aug. l, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 NvENToR G i Enwm JAcossoN AWTQRNEY United States Patent G DOOR LATCH MECHANISM Edwin B. Jacobson, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Application August 1, 1949, Serial No. 107,908

Claims. (Cl. 292-336) This invention provides a door latch mechanism particularly well adapted for use in connection with refrigerators. The general operating components of such a device include a keeper fixed with respect to the body of the refrigerator, a bolt associated with the door and disposed to engage the keeper when the door is in the closed position, a bolt positioning system, a manual actuator for disengaging the bolt from the keeper, and a trigger mechanism for maintaining the bolt in a position permitting the door to be closed. A mechanism embodying the present invention can be provided with suitable sealing means preventing the flow of air from the interior of the refrigeratoi outwardly through the various openings and passages surrounding the mechanism.

A feature of principal importance provided by the present invention is relative freedom from the effects of wear on the trigger mechanism. in the preferred form of the present invention, a bolt is pivotally mounted for rotation upon an axis that will permit it to swing into and out of engagement with the keeper. Such a bolt is conventionally provided with a roller or other engaging portion establishing the actual Contact with the keeper, and a biasing system is provided urging the bolt in the direction of the locking position. The bolt is preferably pivoted upon a member iixed with respect to the door, and manual operating means are also provided to rotate the bolt to the unlocked position by means of forces transmitted to the bolt through a suitable chain of components. Preferably one of these components passes through a sealed aperture in order to prevent the liow of air around the openings provided by the mechanism with consequent heat loss and danger of condensation.

The most troublesome source of wear in such a mechanism as is outlined above is in the trigger system maintaining the bolt in a position permitting the door to be I' closed. In the present invention an interfering member is so positioned as to prevent the movement of the bolt in the direction of the locked position under the urging of the biasing means as long as the interfering member is in a given position. tending to urge this interfering member to this interfering position. Means are also provided operating in conjunction with the interfering member for removing the same from interfering position in response to the forces generated in the closing of the door. The preferred form tf' of the trigger mechanism combines the interfering member and releasing means in the form of one pivotally mounted piece, with the rocking action of this piece about its pivot resulting in the engagement and disengagement of the interfering member with the bolt. end of this pivotally mounted piece is disposed to contact a` member fixed with respect to the body of the refrigerator, preferably a portion of the keeper itself. As the door is closed, a point is reached in which the keeper contacts the trigger mechanism causing the interfering member to be rotated out of interfering position.

It will be obvious that the continued operation of such a mechanism over long periods of time would result in considerable wear at the point of engagement between the trigger means and the bolt. The present invention, however, provides for the removal of any tendency to generate wear at this point. The position of the bolt determined by the interfering member is such that the closing of the `door causes the contact of the roller or engaging part of the bolt with a portion of the keeper in such a manner that the bolt is urged slightly toward the open position Biasing means are also provided The opposite 'ice resulting in the removal of all forces previously generated between the bolt and the trigger means. With the bolt then supported solely by the keeper, continued movement of the door toward the closed position causes the trigger mechanism to be actuated to remove the interfering member from interfering position. As the door continues in its closing movement, the bolt is then free to pass over the retaining portion of the keeper and assume the locked position without being restrained by any portion of the trigger means. The actuation of the handle or other release means results in movement of the bolt in the direction of the open position far enough to permit the biasing means associated vwith the trigger to move the interfering member to interfering position and to thereby prevent movement of the bolt toward the locked asition after the forces had been released upon the han- Another important feature provided by the present invention is a system for supporting the latch mechanism in the door. The accumulation of manufacturing tolerences in articles made of sheet metal is a continuous source of trouble in attaching the latch mechanism and the keeper in proper cooperating relationship. To adequately support the latch mechanism against the forces involved, it is usually necessary to utilize more than one anchoring point in the door. Since considerable variation in the location of mounting holes will inevitably take place, it is the conventional practice to provide considerable adjustment and re-alignment during the installation of the latch mechanism. Any variation in the position or attitude of the various supporting surfaces must be compensated for by the use of shims or the trimming and bending of the various panels involved. Since these operations are not exactly the same for all of the units produced, it follows that the operations are not routine and are consequently relatively expensive. The mounting system provided by the present invention tends toward the elimination of dependence upon the position of the various sheet metal surfaces as far as the secure and accurate support of the latch mechanism is concerned.

ln the preferred form of the mounting system provided by the present invention, the latch mechanism is, in effect, suspended between two pivot points. One of these pivot points is provided preferably by the same pin' that acts as the hinge for the handle and also for the bolt. ri`his pin is also caused to pass through a projection on the eseutcheon, and the escutcheon is permitted to abut against the outer surface of the refrigerator door. Thus, as the latch mechanism is pulled inwardly, this action is eventually resisted by the pressure of the escutcheon against the outer surface of the door. At the opposite end of the latch mechanism, a bracket is pivoted for sufficient rotation to permit the alignment of a threaded opening so as to engage a screw passing through the panels of the door. As the latch mechanism is caused to rotate about the pin engaging the escutcheon, it would be obvious that the bracket must be permitted to rotate slightly in order to maintain the parallelism between the surface containing the threaded opening and the panels through which the aforesaid screw passes. The bracket can be pivoted about the same pin that acts as a hinge for the trigger in a modified form of the present invention. With the arrangement outlined above, the tightening of the screw results in a development of tension between the two pivots and thereby suspends the latch mechanism. The forces securing the latch mechanism in position are generated between the screw and the pressure of the escutcheon against the outer portion of the door.

These and other features and details of the present invention will be analyzed by discussion of the particular embodiments which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In these drawings,

`Figure 1 is a section through a mechanism embodying the present invention, with the latch mechanism shown in the open or unlocked position and the door of the refrigerator aj ar.

Figure 2 is an illustration of the same mechanism illustrated in Figure 1, with the latch mechanism at the point of contact with the keeper in the direction of the closing motion of the door. l

Figure 3 is a view of the same mechanism shown in g the engagement of the Figures 1 and 2, with the mechanism shown in the locked position.

Figure 4 is a section taken along the planes 4-4 of Figure 2.

- Figure 5 is a section showing a modified form of the present invention in the locked position. This view also illustrates the suspension type of mounting.

Figure 6 indicates a section of the same mechanism shown in Figure 5, with the various parts of the mechanism in the unlocked position, with the trigger in the interfering position.

Referring to Figure l, a latch mechanism is shown having a handle 10, an escutcheon 11, and a bolt generally indicated at 12. This mechanism is installed within the door 13, and operates in cooperation with the keeper 14 fixed with respect to the body portion 15 of a refrigerator. The position of the keeper 14 can be adjusted laterally to obtain the correct position with respect to the latch mechanism through the provision of the elongated hole 16 and the attaching screws 17. A fixed frame 18 is attached to the door by means of the screws 19, and is fixed with respect to the escutcheon by means of the rivet indicated at 20. The handle is shown pivoted at 21 in the escutcheon member, and rotation of the handle causes linear movement of the pin 22 against the action of the spring 23. The passage surrounding the pin 22 is sealed by the sealing washer 24 in order to prevent the passage of air therethrough. A suitable diaphragm 25 isolates the mechanism from the interior of the door.

The bolt 12 is pivoted at 26, and is permitted sufiicient rotation about this point to cause the engagement and disengagement of the roller 27 with the retaining portion 28 of the keeper 14. The operation of the handle 10 in a clockwise direction causes a downward movement of the pin 22 resulting in urging the bolt 12 in a clockwise direction through the engagement of the lower extremity of the pin with the recess 29 on the bolt. The preferred form of the bolt 12 shown in the drawings comprises a pair of opposed side plates connected by the transverse members 30, 31 and 32. The recess 29 in the transverse section 30 forms a projection on the opposite side thereof and provides a convenient locating projection for the compression spring 33 serving to bias the bolt 12 in a counterclockwise direction and urge the bolt thereby into locking position. The opposite end of the spring 33 is supported upon the spring seat 34 having a similar projection 35 to that mentioned above serving to locate the opposite end of the spring 33. The spring seat 34 is supported by the edge of the slot 36 formed in the opposite sides of the frame 18. With the spring seat in the position shown. a small detent or notch maintains it in the assembled position.

In the view shown in Figure l, the bolt is held in the position shown against the action of the spring 33 by the operation of the trigger member 37. This trigger member comprises the interfering portion 38 and the releasing portion 39. The trigger member is mounted for rotation about the point 40, and is biased in a clockwise direction by the spring 41. In the position shown m Figure l, the interfering portion 38 cooperates with the concave surface formed by the displaced portion 42. As the trigger member is rotated in a counterclockwise direction through the engagement of the releasing portion 39 with the end 43 of the keeper, such rota- 7 tion causes the interfering portion 38 to pass downwardly and beyond a position in which itis possible for it tol engage the portion 42 of the bolt 12,. With the trigger in this position, the bolt is free to follow the contours of the keeper and'to pass to the locked position under the urging of the spring 33.

The position of the bolt shown in Figure l issuch that the closing of the door causes the collision ofthe roller member 27 with the tip of the retaining portion of'the keeper as indicated in Figure 2. Continued movement of the door beyond this point of contact causes the bolt to be rotated slightly in a clockwise direction and to thereby release the contact previously maintained between the bolt and the interfering portion 38 of the trigger. Further movement of the door beyond this pointcauses releasing portion 39 with the end 43 of the keeper and the trigger is then rotated-without the necessity of any scuing or friction between the interfering portion 38 and the formed section 42 of the bolt. All the wear consequent upon the releasing operation of the trigger is thereby eliminated.

As the door continues in the direction of the closed position beyond the point shown in Figure 2, the roller 27 is free to follow the contour of the keeper and the bolt proceeds to the fully locked position shown in Figure 3 under the urging of the spring 33.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, a modified form of the present invention is shown in which a unique mounting system for a latch mechanism is illustrated. In these views, certain modifications in detail design are to be noted over those indicated in the previous figures of the drawing, but the latch mechanism in general operates upon the same principles. In this modification, the bolt 44 is shown pivoted about the pin 45, and this same pin forms a hinge connection uniting the bolt 45, the handle 46, and the projection 47 on the escutcheon 48. The frame 49 is suspended between the pins 45 and 50, the latter acting also as the pivot for the trigger 51. The anchor bracket 52 supports the pin 50, and the extension 53 is provided with a threaded hole for cooperation with the screw 54. As the screw 54 is tightened, a pull is generated between the pins and 50 which is resisted by the engagement of the escutcheon 48 and the projection 47 with the outer panel 55 of the door.

With regard to the details of the modified latch mechanism shown in Figures 5 and 6, it will be noted that the bolt 44 is biased in a counter-clockwise direction by the action of the spring 56. The spring operates between a suitable locating projection upon the frame 49 and a similarly formed projection upon a cross-member 57 of the bolt. Similar to the bolt structure shown in the previous figures of the drawing, the bolt 44 is formed by a pair of spaced plates having the contour shown in the drawing and joined by suitable cross-members such as 57, 58, and 59.

With the mechanism open, the position of the parts is as indicated in Figure 6. It will be noted that the trigger 51 cooperates with the cross-member 58 of the bolt 44 in order to maintain the bolt is a position just short of clearing the end 60 of the keeper 61. The trigger 51 is biased in the direction of the interfering position by the action of the spring 62. As the door swings to the closed position, the roller 63 contacts the end 60 of the keeper, resulting in moving the bolt in a clockwise direction sufiicient to disengage the interfering ledge 64 of the trigger 51. As the door continues in its closing movement, the outer end 65 of the keeper cooperates with the surface provided by the cross-member 66 of the trigger resulting in the movement of the trigger out of interfering position and into the attitude shown in Figure 5.

The type of structure shown in Figures 5 and 6 makes possible another type of action resulting in securely positioning the latch mechanism with respect to the door. It will be seen that the cutout on the outer panel 55 may be of such proportions that the projection 47 will not be urged into contact with the right hand end of the cutout by the action resulting from the tightening of the screw 54. The frame 49 of the mechanism may be extended to form a clamping surface 67 disposed on the opposite side of the outer panel 55 with respect to the abutting surface 68 provided by the underside of the escutcheon 48. With the panel 55 clamped between the point 67 and the abutting surface 68 by the tendency of the screw 54 to rotate the mechanism in a clockwise direction about the point 45, it will be seen that a secure positioning of the mechanism is effected without necessarily generating contact between the projection 47 and the right end of the cutout as viewed in Figures 5 and 6. Preferably, the cutout in the panel 55 is of such proportions as to admit the cross-wise dimension of the latch mechanism vso that the same may be inserted from the outside and then moved laterally with respect to the panel 55 to cause the engagement of the clamping point 67. The screw 54 or some equivalent force-applying means can then be brought to bear causing relative rotation between the mechanism and the escutcheon to generate the aforementioned clamping action. The broad aspects of a mechanism insertable through a hole in the outer door l panel for assembly to the door are shown and claimed in my application Serial No. 78,576, filed on February 26, 1949, now Patent No. 2,639,182, dated May 19, 1953.

The particular embodiments which have been shown in the accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only, and are not to be considered as a limitation upon the scope of the appended claims. In these claims it is the intent of the inventor to claim the entire invention to which he is entitled in view of the prior art.

I claim:

1. In a latch mechanism for a door, said mechanism being adapted for cooperation with a keeper having an outer cam surface, and having a bolt and means for positioning said bolt, trigger means comprising: a disengageable restraining member adapted to interfere with the movement of said bolt toward locking position, said member having a portion thereof disposed to contact a projection fixed with respect to said keeper on the closing of said door whereby said member is disengaged from interfering position, said bolt being held clear of said restraining member by said outer cam surface at the contact of said member with said projection.

2. In a latch mechanism for a door, said mechanism being adapted for cooperation with a keeper having an outer cam surface, and having a bolt and means for positioning said bolt, trigger means comprising: a disengageable restraining member adapted to interfere with the movement of said bolt toward locking position, said member having a portion thereof disposed to contact said keeper on the closing of said door whereby said member is disengaged from interfering position, said bolt being held clear of said restraining member by said outer cam surface at the contact of said member with said keeper.

3. In a latch mechanism for a door, said mechanism being adapted for cooperation with a keeper having an outer cam surface, and having a bolt and means for positioning said bolt, trigger means comprising: a pivotally mounted disengageable restraining member adapted to interfere with the movement of said bolt toward locking position, said member having a portion thereof disposed to contact said keeper on the closing of said door whereby said member is disengaged from interfering position by rotation about said pivotal mounting, said bolt being held clear of said restraining member by said outer cam surface at the contact of said member with said keeper.

4. In a latch mechanism for a door, said mechanism being adapted for cooperation with a keeper having an outer cam surface, and having a bolt and means for positioning said bolt, trigger means comprising: a disengageable restraining member adapted to interfere with the movement of said bolt toward locking position, said member having a portion thereof disposed to contact said keeper on the closing of said door whereby said member is disengaged from interfering position, said bolt being held clear of said restraining member by said outer cam surface at the contact of said member with said keeper; and biasing means urging said restraining member to interfering position.

5. Mounting means for a latch mechanism having an escutcheon and a frame, and adapted for use in a hollow door, said door having a cut-out in an outer panel, comprising: an abutting surface on said escutcheon disposed to bear against the outer surface of said door: a projection on said escutcheon adapted to enter said cut-out; pivot means attaching said frame to said escutcheon; anchor means attached to said frame at a point remote from said escutcheon, said anchor means being initially spaced from structure forming said door; and tension means connecting said anchor means to said door and thereby securing said escutcheon and frame to said door.

6. Mounting means for a latch mechanism having an escutcheon and a frame, and adapted for use in a hollow door, said door having a cut-out in an outer panel, cornprising: an abutting surface on said escutcheon disposed to bear against the outer surface of said door; a projection on said escutcheon adapted to enter said cut-out; pivot means attaching said frame to said escutcheon; anchor means attached to said frame at a point remote from said escutcheon, said anchor means beingr initially spaced from structure forming said door; and tension means connecting said anchor means to said door and thereby securing said escutcheon and frame to said door,

said frame being suspended between said pivot and anchor means.

7. Mounting means for a latch mechanism having an escutcheon and a frame, and adapted for use in a hollow door, said door having a cut-out in an outer panel, comprising: an abutting surface on said escutcheon disposed bear against the outer surface of said door; a projection said escutcheon adapted to enter said cut-ont; pivot means attaching said frame to said escutcheon; anchor means pivotally attached to said frame at a point remote from said escutcheon, said anchor means being initially spaced from structure forming said door; and tension means connecting said anchor means to said door and applying force in a direction to generate tension between said pivot connections and thereby securing said escutcheon and frame to said door.

8. Mounting means for a latch mechanism having an escutcheon and a frame, and adapted for use in hollovt door, said door having a cut-out in an outer panel, comprising: an abutting surface on said escutcheon disposed to bear against the outer surface of said door, said frame having a portion disposed adjacent a section of said abutting surface; a projection on said escutcheon adapted to enter said cut-out; pivot means attaching said frame in said escutcheon; anchor means attached to said frame at a point remote from said escutcheon, said anchor means being initially spaced from structure forming said door; and tension means connecting said anchor means to said door, said tension means being adapted to urge said frame to rotate about said pivot means and induce clamping action between said frame portion and abutting surface and thereby securing said escutcheon and frame to said door.

9. Mountng means for a latch mechanism having an escutcheon and a frame, and adapted for use in a hollow door, said door having a cut-out in an outer panel, cornprising: an abutting surface on said escutcheon disposed to bear against the outer surface of said door, said frame having a portion disposed adjacent a section of said abutting surface; a projection on said escutcheon adapted to enter said cut-out; pivot means attaching said frame to said escutcheon; anchor means pivotally attached to said frame at a point remote from said escutcheon. said anchor means being initially spaced from structure forming said door; and tension means comprising a threaded member connecting said anchor means to said door, said tension means being adapted to urge said frame to rotate about said pivot means and induce clamping action between said frame portion and abutting surface and thereby securing said escutcheon and frame to said door.

10. Mounting means for a latch mechanism having an escutcheon and a frame, and adapted for use in a hollow door, said door having a cut-out in an outer panel, comprising: an abutting surface on said escutcheon disposed to bear against the outer surface of said door. said frame having a portion disposed adjacent a section of said abutting surface; a projection on said escutcheon adapted to enter said cut-out; pivot means attaching said frame to said escutcheon: anchor means pivotally attached to said frame at a point remote from said escutcheon. said anchor means being initially spaced from structure forming said door; and tension means comprising a threaded member connecting said anchor means to said door; said tension means being adapted to urge said frame to rotate about said pivot means and induce clamping action between said frame portion and abutting surface and thereby securing said escutcheon and frame to said door, said cut-out being adapted to receive said mechanism therethrough.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,341,416 Anderson et al. Feb. 8, 1944 2,359,150 Peglow Sept. 26, 1944 2,451,380 Curtiss Oct. 12, 1948 

